Walk around the Old Town of Gdansk and St Mary's Basilica
I can't believe the weather we have had during our port days on this cruise. Most days have been in the high 20's and a couple of days were in the low 30's. Today is no exception. 31c at its peak. So most of the time we were seeking shady areas to stop with our guide to listen to her spill about a particular event or place.
Paul decided to stay on board, forfeiting the cost of the tour we had paid, whilst I discovered Gdansk with a guided, orientation tour. It took us about an hour on a bus to arrive at Gdansk, from the port area of Gdynia. We travelled past the famous Solidarity Square, the site of striking ship yard workers who protested against the rule of Communist Russia in 1980, leading to a Independent Poland we saw today.
Poland's resurrection from communist rule started in the shipyards in 1970, then in 1980 under the leadership of Lech Walesa the workers won the right to have a free trade union without communist intervention and later democratic changes in 1989.
Gdansk had been one of the richest ports on the Baltic due mainly to merchant trade. It drew artists and intellectuals from across Europe to visit and marvel at its attractions. It had been ruled by Denmark in the 15th and 16 centuries. Sadly with the event of WW11, most of it had been pillaged and destroyed by firstly the Germans and then the Russians. Then to a bleak period under Communist rule. The guide explained that the locals do not smile easily at foreigners not wanting to attract the attention; or people who used to smile at them during the last century were not be trusted. Sad isn't it.
Green Gate entrance to the old town of Gdansk.
This side are the canals. Built as a Royal Castle of
Gdansk but no King has ever stayed overnight.
Photo taken after WW11 showing the remains of buildings.
The town has been completely rebuilt in the style.
Gdansk does not have a main square but instead, a large wide pedestrian street. Mariacki Street.
Reconstructed Medieval buildings, a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.
Neptune's fountain, hidden during the war and replaced.
Town hall in background (red building).
Walkway to the Golden Gate, the 'start' of the main pedestrian walkway.
St Mary's Basilica, the largest brick building in Gothic style in the world.
Inside the Basilica. Has accommodated 25,000 worshipers.
Interesting as Gdansk has a population of 26,000!
The altar
Statue of Mary Magdeline and Jesus.
Paul decided to stay on board, forfeiting the cost of the tour we had paid, whilst I discovered Gdansk with a guided, orientation tour. It took us about an hour on a bus to arrive at Gdansk, from the port area of Gdynia. We travelled past the famous Solidarity Square, the site of striking ship yard workers who protested against the rule of Communist Russia in 1980, leading to a Independent Poland we saw today.
Poland's resurrection from communist rule started in the shipyards in 1970, then in 1980 under the leadership of Lech Walesa the workers won the right to have a free trade union without communist intervention and later democratic changes in 1989.
Gdansk had been one of the richest ports on the Baltic due mainly to merchant trade. It drew artists and intellectuals from across Europe to visit and marvel at its attractions. It had been ruled by Denmark in the 15th and 16 centuries. Sadly with the event of WW11, most of it had been pillaged and destroyed by firstly the Germans and then the Russians. Then to a bleak period under Communist rule. The guide explained that the locals do not smile easily at foreigners not wanting to attract the attention; or people who used to smile at them during the last century were not be trusted. Sad isn't it.
Green Gate entrance to the old town of Gdansk.
This side are the canals. Built as a Royal Castle of
Gdansk but no King has ever stayed overnight.
The canal accesses to the sea enabling olden day ships to enter
and dock to unload their cargo. In the far right of the picture
is an olden day crane used to off load cargo. It had a lifting
capacity of 4 tons.
Photo taken after WW11 showing the remains of buildings.
The town has been completely rebuilt in the style.
Gdansk does not have a main square but instead, a large wide pedestrian street. Mariacki Street.
Reconstructed Medieval buildings, a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.
Neptune's fountain, hidden during the war and replaced.
Town hall in background (red building).
Walkway to the Golden Gate, the 'start' of the main pedestrian walkway.
St Mary's Basilica, the largest brick building in Gothic style in the world.
Inside the Basilica. Has accommodated 25,000 worshipers.
Interesting as Gdansk has a population of 26,000!
The altar
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